Step stool



Oct. 7, 1941. L, c1 WATL|NG 2,257,926

STEP STOOL Filed Sept. 18, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l oct. 7, 1941.

Filed Sept. 18, 1940 c. WATLINCv STEP STOOL 1:Laer/,926

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 his atented Oct. 7, 194i UNITEDL STATES" PATENT QFFICE.

- Y 2,257,926 v f s'rEns'rooL Landon C. Watling, Webster Groves, Mo. Applieanonseptember 1s, 1940, seriarNo'fsmee -k 4 Claims. .(Cl. 228-2) This invention relates to step stools; and has special reference to stools designed for use in the kitchens of homes and elsewhere, and readily convertible into forms for use as step ladders.

Objects of the invention are to provide an s improved step stool having a top portion functioning as a seat when the device is used as a stool and as a platform upon which the user may stand when the device is used as a step ladder; to provide folding means whereby the lower steps are supported in a relationship in advance ofr the top platform when the vdevice is used as a step ladder in order 'to facilitate use of the device as va step ladder; to provide connecting means between the iront and rear legs for supporting the top platform in a, relationship in which the steps are forwardly therefrom when the device isI adjusted for use as a step ladder; to provide novel means for supporting the steps in proper adjustment for use as such and out of the Way or concealed below the top and rearwardly from the front of the legs when the device is used as a stool; and to provide a step stool of strong and sturdy construction and of relatively'light weight so that it is easily portable.

Other objects will appear from the following description, reference being made to thea'nnexed drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved step stool arranged so that the steps are in an inclined series with respect to the top platform.

Fig. 2 is a iront elevation.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the top portion in adjustment for use as a stool.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view on V.the lines 4-4 of Figs. 1 and 7. Fig; 5 is an enlarged sectional view on the lines 5'-5 of Figs. 1 and '1.`r

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of a step stool having steps movable to proper adjustment with respect to the top platform.

' Fig. 7 is a side elevation showing the steps folded within the frame of the device.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the lower portion of the device having the steps in position for use in advance of the frame of the step stool.'

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 9--9 of Fig. 8.

The frame ofV the device comprises a pair of downwardly diverging rear legs I and a pair of downwardly diverging front legs 2. The rear legs incline upwardly and forwardly toward the upper ends of the front legs, and the latter incline rearwardly toward the upper ends of the rear legs. The legs are of duplicate construction and of equal dimensions, and each is formed at its upper end with a cutout providing a supporting shoulder 3. Since the legs are of duplicate construction and dimensions, the shoulder 3 on one' of the rear legs is on the outside and on the inner 'side of the other. Similarly, the shoulders 3 on the front legs are on the inside and the outside, respectively, and are in reverse positions from the shoulders on the rear legs. This is to say that the outside shoulder on the rear leg is complementary to the inside shoulder on' the adjacent front leg, as should be understood by rreference to Figs. 1 and 7.

The upper ends of the front andrear legs at each side ofthe device are rigidly connected by parts 4 made from the same stock as the legs so that said parts 4 have the same width and thickness as the legs. The parts 4 are of duplicate construction and'of equal dimensions, and each is formed with notched ends on opposite sides providing portions 5 of reduced thickness seating in the notches at the upper ends of the legs and upon the shoulders 3, thereby passing the parts 4 in the same vertical planes inwhich the legs connected thereby are located. Bolts or rivets 6 pass through the lapped portions of the legs and. the parts 4, thereby providing a rigid attachment.

. .The iront and rear legs at each side of the device are rigidly connected by one or more holding or supporting members 1. As shown, the front and rear legs vat each side are connected by two oi saidl members. Preferably, the ends oi' the members 1 seat upon shoulders formed on the f' legs, and'have reduced extensionsv 9 projecting into holes in the legs (Fig. 5) and engaged by fasteners I9 driven into the legs and into said extensions, thereby holding the frame in rigid form.

A number of frame members Ily connect the front and rear legs, respectively, having reduced extensions I2 (Figs. 2 and 6), extending into complementary holes in the legs and engaged by -f'asteners'l'3- The frame members Il at'th'e rear are attached together by a pair of crossed braces '|4, one of which is on the outer side of the members Il and the other on the innerV side thereof.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs; 1, 2 and 3, thel device may be converted into a stool or seat; or, by slight adjustment, may be converted into a step ladder having an inclined series of steps. The top comprises two duplicate members I5 and I6 connected together by hinges I1. The member l5 is at the rear and is rigidly and permanently attached to the parts 4 by fasteners I8, leaving the member I6 free for swinging movements from seat-forming position shown in Fig. 3 to position upon the member I5 to constitute one of a series of inclined steps. The exposed margins of the members I5 and I6 are formed with grooves I8 contributing to the ornamental appearance of the device, and also facilitating movement of the part I6 from folded position (Fig. 1) to extended position (Fig. 3), since the grooves I8 constitute finger-receiving means. The member I6 is formed with a number of longitudinal grooves or corrugations I9 to prevent the person standing thereon from slipping.

Steps 20 and 2I are permanently attached to the connecting members I by fasteners 22 so that, when the top member I6 is folded upon the complementary member I5, an inclined series .of steps is provided. The step 20 is notched at .its ends to receive and extend between the front legs 2. These steps are preferably provided with grooves 23 to prevent the person, using the Vdevicefrom slipping.

In the form v of l.the invention shown vin Figs. 6, 7, and 8, the top member 24 is permanently attached to theframe parts 4 in -extended or flatwise position. ,Fasteners 25 are used for this purpose. I'he top member IlY extends laterally beyond the legs in every direction.

In this form of the device, the steps 2.6 and 2'I constitute a part of aY swinging frame including two side members 28 to which said steps are rigidly attached. The` ends of the stepA 26 are secured in grooves 29 in .the frame members 28 by fasteners 3,8, and thel step 21 is attached to the upper ends .of the frame members 28 by fasteners 3I. The upper surfaces `of these steps are provided with grooves 332 to prevent the person using the device from slipping.

The frame members 28 are attached together by a support 33 seated in notches 34 in said frame members and attached thereto by fasteners 35. The reduced ends 36 of the support 33 are rotatively supported inholes 31 in the front legs 2, thereby leaving the step frame free for swinging movements from concealed position, as shown in Fig. 7, to extended position, as` shown in Fig. 8, and vice Versa. In the extended position of the step frame, the side members 28 are even with the lower ends of the legs I and 2, so as to rest upon the same support upon which said legs rest. In this position, the steps 2B and 21 are forwardly beyond the frame, making it easy for a personusing thedevice as a ladder to ascend to theV top 24. In its unfolded position, the step device is within the lmain frame, and the side members 28 rest against the upper member II connecting the rear legs.

The invention may be varied in slight particulars other than those specifically mentioned without departure from `the nature and principle thereof.

I claim:

l. A step stool comprising a pair of rearwardly inclined and downwardly diverging duplicate front legs, a pair of complementary forwardly inclined vand downwardly diverging rear legs which are duplicates of each other and of the front-l legs, shoulders formed near the upper ends of said respective :legs and located at opposite sides of the two legs at each side of the step stool, tcp supports in the same inclined planes with and extending to opposite sides of and lapping the legs at each side of the step stool and seated on said shoulders, fasteners extending through the lapped portions of and rigidly securing said supports to said legs, a top member secured to said supports and extending across the upper ends of said legs, and an inclined series of steps supported by said legs near the front of the device.

2. A step stool comprising two side frames each including a pair of downwardly diverging legs and holding members rigidly connecting the legs of each frame, shoulders formed near the upper ends of said respective legs and at opposite sides of the two legs of each frame, top supports seated on said shoulders at opposite sides of the legs of each frame and rigidly attached thereto, a top member secured to the rear ends of said supports and extending across the upper ends lof the rear legs, an additional top member hinged to the frontgedge of said rst top member for swinging movements from extended position forwardly fromsaid Yfirst top member to seat upon said .supports and extend across the upper ends of said front legs to a position in which said second top member rests upon said rst member and vice versa, and an inclined series of steps attached to said holding members in said frames `between the front and rear legs thereof.

3. A step stool comprising two side frames each including a pair kof downwardly diverging front and rear legs and holding members rigidly connecting the legs Yof each frame, shoulders formed near the upper end s .of said respective legs and at opposite ksides of the two legs of each frame, top supports seated on said shoulders at opposite sides of vthe legs `of `each frame and rigidly attached thereto, a top member secured to the rear ends of said supports and extending across the upper ends of Vthe rear legs, a frame extending between and pivoted to said front legs for swinging movements from a position between said pairs of legs and below said top vmember to a position extending downwardly .and forwardly beyond said front legs and vice versa,.and a step attached to and supported by said last named frame. s

4. A stepstool comprising two side frames each including a pair of downwardly diverging front and rear legs and holding members rigidly connecting thevlegs of each frame, shoulders formed near the upper ends of said respective legs and at opposite sides of the Itwo legs `of each frame, top supports seated on said shoulders at opposite sides of the legs of each frame and rigidly attached thereto, a top member secured to the rear ends of .said supports and extending across the upper ends of the rear legs, a frame extending between and pivoted tosaid front legs for swinging movements froma position .between said pairs of legs land 4below said top member `to a position extending downwardly and forwa-rdly beyond said front legs Aand vice versa, a step attached to and supported by said last named frame,V and elements rigidly connecting said rear legs and supporting said last named frame ,in position between said two side frames.

Y LANDON C. WATLING. 

